Suzanne Côté appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne Côté to the Supreme Court of Canada. With her wealth of legal knowledge and decades of experience, Ms. Côté will be a tremendous benefit to this important Canadian institution," said Harper. "Her appointment is the result of broad consultations with prominent members of the Quebec legal community and we believe she will be a valued addition to Canada’s highest court.”

Suzanne Côté is a partner and head of the Montréal litigation practice at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and she specializes in complex civil and commercial litigation, including cases involving manufacturer’s liability, and class actions, and public law. She received the Advocatus Emeritus distinction in 2011 from the Barreau du Québec. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2005.

Ms. Côté has been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in Canada 2013, the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2012, Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers 2012, Litigator of the Year 2008, and among Canada’s Top 25 Women Lawyers 2003.

Ms. Côté has litigated in provincial and federal trial courts and courts of appeal, including the Quebec Superior Court, Quebec Court of Appeal, the Federal Courts, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She has been affiliated with the Quebec Bar Association since 1981 and the Canadian Bar Association since 1980.

Sharing her time and knowledge with others, Ms. Côté taught evidence and civil representation at the École du Barreau du Québec and has been a member of the board of directors of the Jean Duceppe Foundation. She has also worked with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Ms. Côté obtained her law degree from l’Université Laval and lectured at l’Université du Québec à Rimouski and at l’Université de Montréal.

Originally from the Gaspésie, Ms. Côté was a member of the Board of Directors for the historical society of Gaspésie and President of the Chamber of Commerce in Gaspé.

Before joining Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, Ms. Côté was a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP (Montreal), Côté & Ranger (Gaspé), and Michaud & Côté (Gaspé), and a lawyer with Jean-Roch Michaud (Gaspé). Ms. Côté shares her life with Gérald R. Tremblay. Her parents live in Gaspé.